Superintendent Maryalice Russell

Maryalice Russell, Ed. D., has been superintendent of the McMinnville School District since 2002. Under her leadership, the
district has received significant recognition for its educators and programs. Dr. Russell was recognized as Oregon
Superintendent of the Year in 2013 and was one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year.

During the 14
years Russell has served as superintendent, the district has risen to become one of the highest performing school
districts in the state, leading the way in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, dual high
school/college credit, early learning, expanded day/year learning opportunities, and numerous other innovative
initiatives.

Among the honors and recognitions the district has received:

o 2017 OASE Excellence in Curriculum Leadership Award for Early Learning Initiativeo 2016 OACOA Achievement of Excellence Award, Kyra Donovan
o 2015 Oregon High School Principal of the Year, Dr. Kris Olsen
o 2016 Oregon Teacher of the Year Finalist, Pam Canady
o 2014 Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year, Stephanie Legard
o 2014 Bev Gladder Administrator Mentoring Award, Pattie Waltz
o 2014 Outstanding Nutrition Director of the Year and Regional Director of the Year, Cindy Hiatt-Henry
o 2014 National STEM Showcase district, one of only three programs in the country earning the distinction
o 2011 Oregon Middle School Principal of the Year and National Middle School Principal of the Year, Cathy
Carnahan
o 2010 OASE Excellence in Curriculum Leadership Award for the Career Pathway and College Credit program

MSD students performed above state average on 2016 state assessments, and the district has eliminated the
graduation achievement gap among Hispanic students and Ever English Learners, as compared to the total
population. Click here for more detail on the achievement data.

In November 2017, the Oregon School Boards Association published a five-part series, Lifting Up Graduation Rates, which details some of the strategies that led to improvements in graduation rates.

An administrator since 1981, Dr. Russell has been an elementary and middle school principal, a 21st Century Schools director, and an associate superintendent. She earned a doctorate in education from Oregon State University, an administrator certificate from Lewis and Clark College, and bachelor and master degrees in education from Portland State University.